Congratulations on making it to another Thursday!  Just one more day and we’ve made it to another weekend – it’s downhill from here!

By the way, today is National Coffee Day and I’d just like to say that this column is powered by three cups of coffee (and counting).

For the new folks stopping by for the first time, “Thursday Numbers” is the column where I take a look at some of the numbers in the news and put them in one place for all to see – and offer some commentary about each.

This week I take a look at some birthdays, enrollments, baseball, underwear, a poll, fundraising, a cheap dinner, and much much more – so read on…

391,000

That’s the number of people filing new claims for unemployment last week.

That is a drop from last week, which is good news, but one must wonder if we have hit rock bottom.  

15,669

That’s how many students are enrolled at the University of Montana in Missoula this fall.

14,218

That’s how many students are enrolled at Montana State University in Bozeman this fall.

10,000

That’s how much money Steve Bullock (current Attorney General and candidate for Governor) wants to raise in “the next 72 hours” according to an e-mail received from his campaign this week.

The third quarter fundraising is coming to a close, so most of the candidates are sending e-mails asking for money.

3,000

That’s how many people “…stripped to their underwear and ran through Salt Lake City to protest what they called the “uptight” laws of Utah.”

Utah has “uptight laws?” Shut the front door…

1,097

That’s how many commentaries Andy Rooney has given (counting his final one this Sunday) on 60 Minutes.

I’m gonna miss Andy. By the way, I do a pretty good imitation of Andy…

1,074

That’s the newest enrollment numbers at the University of Great Falls – a very fine university.

I think it’s time for UGF to field an NAIA Football team!

106

That’s the number of games the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball lost this season to lead the major leagues (there are 162 games in a season).

Congratulations on being the worst…

102

That’s the number of games the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball won to lead the major league this season.

Congratulations on being the best…

92

That’s the age of Andy Rooney.

I am not quite that old…

63

Happy 63rd birthday to Bryant Gumbel.

56

Happy 56th birthday to PBS’ Gwen Ifill.

32

A new poll from Gallup tells us that “Americans’ Satisfaction With U.S. Remains Near 32-Year Low.”

My point of view is very low, too…

10.5

That’s how many games the Atlanta Braves were up on the St. Louis Cardinals in the wild card race on August 25.  The Cardinals won the National League Wildcard slot last night.

Epic! Last night was one of the better nights in Major League Baseball history – too bad they don’t come along too often.

3

An e-mail from Michelle Obama says I can be entered in a drawing to have dinner with Barack if I donate $3.00.  On September 14 they were asking for a $5 donation.

Hmm…something from the dollar menu?

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